A state legislator who played a key role in enacting the nation's first charter school law in Minnesota tells the story of shaping the ideas and the bill. She now looks for ways that charter schools can coexist with traditional public schools to deliver a better education for all children.

This publication presents the 2009-2010 edition of the Friedman Foundation for Educational Choice's "ABCs of School Choice". The "ABCs of School Choice" provides the latest in up-to-date and accurate information about the many school choice success stories taking place throughout the country. Readers will find this guide an…

School choice is a common sense idea that gives all parents the power and freedom to choose their child's education, while encouraging healthy competition among schools and other institutions to better serve students' needs and priorities. It is a public policy that allows a parent/guardian or student to choose a district, charter, or private…

Choice is the basis for Minnesota's school improvement plan. School districts decide whether they want to participate, but they may not be selective about who they admit. Districts must release students who want to attend school elsewhere. The plan is too new to evaluate, but public support for it is increasing. (VM)

Studies the performance of four of Minnesota's school-choice programs. Finds positive impact on student participants' satisfaction, aspirations, and academic achievement; the importance of continuous monitoring and review of choice options; and general lack of support for negative predictions such as open enrollment "could destroy our…

Reviews the young charter-school movement's status and effects. Advocates claim charter schools' mere existence in an area stimulates reform. So far, chartering has shown tremendous diversity and engaged many highly motivated people. Systemic change will depend on American educators' responsiveness to society's Information-Age demands. (Contains…

After years of reform and accompanying frustration, public schools of choice have become one of today's most popular school reform strategies. More than 20 states have either passed choice legislation or are considering such action. At the present, plans based on parental influence represent the majority of district choice plans, including magnet…

A sweeping parental choice bill passed recently in Minnesota spearheaded parental choice plans recently passed or under consideration in more than a dozen states. Explores the background and pros and cons of parental choice. (MLF)

Although the Minnesota Business Partnership is generally pleased with the success of its school choice initiatives, it realized that more must be done to improve educational quality. Concentrating on learning readiness, this report discusses the role of education in a healthy society, describes the condition of education in Minnesota, and offers…